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Layun to miss Gold Cup, adds to Mexico's woes

Mexico defender Miguel Layun has been ruled out of the Gold Cup due to a kidney infection that will require surgery in the coming days.

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) made the announcement on Sunday, saying the Monterrey defender "will not be able to participate in training for at least a month from the date of the surgery."

Mexico begins its Gold Cup campaign on June 15 against Martinique, followed by matches against Canada (June 19) and Cuba (June 23). The squad warms up with friendlies against Venezuela (June 5) and Ecuador (June 9).

Layun's is the latest setback for the squad that will be missing certain star players. Javier Hernandez, Carlos Vela, Hector Herrera and Jesus Corona are all out of the squad for various non-footballing reasons, with manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino saying he'd never experienced players rejecting call-ups in his time with Paraguay or Argentina.

Hirving Lozano returned to club PSV Eindhoven last week to continue his recovery process from a right knee injury, although the FMF has yet to officially rule him out for the Gold Cup.